Steel Meets Silk [Commander Colt x F!OC]

5- A World on Edge

The early morning haze lingered in the air, muted and cool, as sunlight crept through the edges of the curtains. A soft buzz of speeders filtered in from outside the estate, the city already alive with its morning rhythm. Yet, the quiet in my room pressed down on me, pulling me back to the weight of last night's dinner with my father.

Words like responsibility and duty echoed in my mind, sharp-edged and relentless, poking holes in the fragile shield I'd tried to build around myself. He meant well, of course, but his reassurances always came wrapped in expectations too heavy for me to carry without cracking.

Still, today wasn't going to be all bad. A spark of excitement fluttered in my chest as I thought about tonight. It was Friday. Just thinking about it was enough to lift some of the lingering fog.

I took my time getting ready, letting the ritual settle me. A warm shower, my favorite scented lotion, a light dress that moved with me—it all felt like a quiet act of defiance against the heaviness that threatened to follow me. Today wasn't going to be ordinary. I could feel it.

When I stepped outside, Colt was already waiting by the hovercar. His stance was as rigid as always and his eyes were scanning the courtyard like a hawk. Even in a suit, he couldn't shed the aura of a soldier.

"Good morning, Miss Husk," he greeted me as I walked toward him.

"Morning, Colt." I replied, pulling a light shawl tighter around my shoulders. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Do you know what day it is?"

"Friday," he said with the same deadpan tone I'd come to expect from him. His eyes were still the steady, focused brown I'd gotten used to, though today, they were warmer—maybe because I'd managed to break through the ice once or twice lately.

"And do you know what that means?" I asked, smirking.

"I assume you'll tell me," he replied dryly, though there was a flicker of warmth in his gaze.

I took a step closer, glancing at him with a playful glint in my eye. "It's girls' night." I scanned him from head to toe, looking pointedly at the suit. "Not girls and the bodyguard's night."

His expression didn't waver, though I thought I caught a flicker of amusement. "Your father was very clear. I'm to follow you everywhere."

I let out a long sigh, crossing my arms. "Just for tonight, Colt. Please?"

His gaze softened, just for a moment, before his expression settled back into its usual neutral mask. "I hear you, Miss Husk. But your safety is my priority. I'll keep my distance. You won't even know I'm there."

I let out a long breath, my shoulders slumping slightly. "Guess I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Not in this matter, no," he replied, his tone firm.

I climbed into the hovercar, giving him a nod, and he followed. He sat in the seat beside me, never saying a word, but always there. I half wished he would crack a joke or just act normal for once, but I knew that wasn't who he was. It was just... strange, this constant tension of having someone always so close, always on duty, no matter what.

The meeting dragged on, a blur of clipped voices and overused terms: economic stability, public trust, war efforts.

Theo and Graham were unusually grim, their usual smiles replaced with tight-lipped frowns.

"There's talk of more attacks on supply lines," Kalden said, his tone flat. "If the Separatists push harder, we'll see major disruptions."